Govt Not Backing Bauxite Mining, Says MLA
Satyanarayana Murthy said the issue had never come up before the Tribal Advisory Committee and that there was no indication of any mining-related activity. He urged political parties and activists not to spread misinformation or create unnecessary fear among tribal communities without credible evidence
Visakhapatnam: Madugula MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy on Friday dismissed allegations that the state government was facilitating bauxite mining in the agency region, asserting that no proposal or official process was under way.
Responding to allegations by several ZPTC members that the government and district administration were covertly supporting proposed bauxite mining and a hydropower project in the agency area, the MLA said the present ruling alliance had consistently opposed bauxite mining in the past.
"We fought against bauxite mining and succeeded in getting the Government Order cancelled under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. No fresh G.O. has been issued. If anyone claims otherwise, they should produce evidence," he said.
Satyanarayana Murthy said the issue had never come up before the Tribal Advisory Committee and that there was no indication of any mining-related activity. He urged political parties and activists not to spread misinformation or create unnecessary fear among tribal communities without credible evidence.
Meanwhile, Alluri Sitarama Raju district Joint Collector Thirumani Sri Pooja clarified that no bauxite mining-related activity had taken place in the district over the past four years and that neither the state government nor the district administration had issued any orders permitting surveys or mining operations.
She said the administration had no information about any surveys being conducted and added that, to avoid public confusion, all private agencies or individuals intending to undertake surveys must obtain prior permission and inform the district authorities. A letter has also been sent to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in this regard.
The joint collector warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone conducting unauthorised surveys.
Officials maintained that there was no official proposal or administrative movement relating to bauxite mining in the district and appealed to the public not to be misled by unverified claims.